The future of computing: Memory-Driven Computing, security, and the edge

The 25th anniversary the ProLiant server signals a good time to look ahead. The future of computing will feature Memory-Driven Computing and edge-to-cloud computing, with security built into the stack.

Yes, the ProLiant server turns 25 this year. It's a great time to think about the future of compute and where this journey will take us. Having partnered with many leading companies in their digital transformations, I see three trends dominating compute's next act. Memory-Driven Computing will define how we compute, as hardware adapts to exponential data growth. Then, as companies increasingly analyze and act on data from devices on the edge of networks, edge-to-cloud computing will define where compute happens. Finally, security will be a non-negotiable element of all systems.

Innovation is an ongoing process as computing evolves

Customers have always directed our innovation, and over the past 25 years ProLiant has led the server industry. In response to customer concerns about IT operations and economics, we introduced the ProLiant 4000, the industry's first rackmount server, and Integrated Lights Out (iLO) embedded server management. HPE GreenLake Flex Capacity offers our clients the greater agility they need, effectively bringing cloud-like economics to the data center. And, with the world's most secure industry-standard server, we're addressing our customers' serious concerns about cybersecurity.

We can gain insight into the future of computing by looking at how leading companies are using the digital transformation opportunity to rewrite the rules of their business. Leading companies must continuously reinvent their business—with technology at the core—or watch from the sidelines while their market is disrupted.

In a future where everything computes, intelligence will be embedded everywhere, and everyone and everything will be connected, driving exponential increases in data. Customers need to find new and better ways to distill data into meaningful insights and actions at speeds fast enough to stay ahead of the competition.

Memory-Driven Computing will power our data-driven future

Traditional computers are ill-equipped to cope with future-scale quantities of data. They chop up data to match the limitations of their processors. Memory-Driven Computing flips this design around and puts the data first. It brings processing to the data through a high-performance interconnect protocol. Every processor in a system has access to a shared pool of memory. At HPE, we helped establish an industry-led consortium called Gen-Z, which is tasked with developing an industry standard for this new interconnect technology.

Memory-Driven Computing is an almost infinitely flexible and scalable architecture that can complete computing tasks faster, using much less energy than conventional systems. Performance increases, because the IT department can compose and configure computing elements to communicate at the speed of memory. With no I/O bottlenecks, IT professionals can set up virtual machines and containers in milliseconds, making Memory-Driven Computing the ultimate solution for composable infrastructure. It also improves on the currently inefficient relationship between storage and memory. HPE's leadership in silicon photonics will enable future Memory-Driven Computing systems to seamlessly scale beyond individual systems or even racks—at a fraction of the energy required to power today's computers.

Compute will take place from edge to cloud, driven by AI

Enterprises that not only survive but thrive in the future increasingly will analyze and act on data from devices on the edge of networks. Edge computing puts compute and storage capacity closer to where data is created, so it can be processed locally, improving response times and avoiding large quantities of data being sent to a cloud. Gartner predicts that by 2022, 75% percent of will be created and processed outside of a traditional, centralized data center or cloud—versus just 10 percent today.*

The intelligent edge will have a positive impact on the way people live and work, from improved healthcare outcomes to better customer service and more efficient transportation. Today, most of the data generated on the edge is now untapped or lost. Those who can quickly capture, analyze, and act on edge data will enjoy competitive advantages.

Future infrastructure will also be self-learning. We'll see Memory-Driven Computing driven by a machine-learning/AI engine with compute, memory, networking, and storage building blocks that can self-configure and provision. An intelligent platform will facilitate this process, using predictive intelligence to schedule and drive jobs and workloads to the appropriate resources. The platform will be augmented by accelerator engines comprised of , and new and emerging innovations, alongside engines for memory, fabric, storage, networking, and security.s

Security must be at the core of technology and services

Traditional security countermeasures like firewalls and intrusion detection systems are no longer sufficient on their own. The enterprise now exists in a highly connected mobile world from edge to cloud, and data can reside anywhere. To mitigate rising threats, future computer architectures will incorporate security at every level of the stack.

Looking ahead, security will require a more holistic and pragmatic approach. Security must be built into every aspect of service delivery and interactions between customers and organizations. The very core of the technology must be secure. To HPE, this means implementing security measures that span applications throughout the development lifecycle, protecting data, and building security into the hardware and firmware with the Silicon Root of Trust.

As we continue to innovate in and beyond the data center, we will move toward a future of secure, Memory-Driven Computing and edge-centric compute.

HPE ProLiant servers help you embark on the path forward

Want to learn more about how HPE's newest generation of data center innovations can drive your business forward? Check out HPE ProLiant DL Servers.

How your legacy ProLiant could make you a winner!

We’re celebrating 25 years of ProLiant innovation with the chance to win a trip to HPE Discover 2018 in Madrid, a brand new ProLiant server for your company or one of four soft-sided coolers. Post a photo of the front bezel of your legacy ProLiant server with a 280-character description, including one of four category hashtags to enter: #HPEProLiantApps #HPEProLiantRemote #HPEProLiantSecure #HPEProLiantResilient. Plus, you must include this hashtag: #contest. Get details on the contest now.

JustinHotard

Vice President and General Manager, Volume Global Business Unit.
Justin leads worldwide business and portfolio strategy and execution for HPE’s core server business: ProLiant and Cloudline. In addition, he also leads the OEM, Service Provider, SMB and Telecommunications segments; as well as overseeing HPE’s end-to-end China business across the complete server and storage portfolio through HPE’s Joint Venture with H3C.